'Oksoberfest' Events Set for Oct. 17-20

Fairmont State students will observe Alcohol, Substance Abuse and Sexuality Awareness Week, Oct. 17-21, with a combination of events celebrating a campus "Oksoberfest."

Students will hear from a variety of speakers and will also participate in alcohol-free social activities featuring free food and prizes and chances to win Oksoberfest T-shirts.

"I think it's important to make the students aware of the dangers of alcohol abuse and drug abuse, and we try to accomplish this through a variety of activities, some of them fun and some of them educational," said Kat Stevens, Director of Counseling.

Campus organizations are sponsoring a number of events. Delta Zeta will operate an information booth in the Falcon Center on Monday-Thursday, Oct. 17-20, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. On Monday, Oct. 17, at 2 p.m., Eric Simpson of the Caritas House will present "HIV 101/Faces of AIDS." Sponsored by the Spanish Club, Simpson will speak in the Turley Center Fireside Room. Free Oksoberfest T-shirts will be given to the first 10 people in attendance.

At 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 17, in the Fireside Room, students will have the opportunity to hear from Pruntytown Correctional Facility inmates who are incarcerated for crimes related to drug and alcohol abuse. Stevens said the inmates will share their stories of the role drugs and alcohol played in putting them in prison. The first 10 people at this event will also receive free T-shirts. This event is being sponsored by the International Student Organization.

On Tuesday, Oct. 18, it's BYOB (Bring Your Own Banana) from 12:30-1:30 p.m. in the Falcon Center. Students will be given free banana splits courtesy of Sigma Sigma Sigma. Also, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. in the center, the Black Student Union will demonstrate "sobriety glasses" that show the wearer how alcohol distorts your faculties. At 2 p.m. in the Turley Center Fireside Room, Tau Kappa Epsilon will sponsor "Sexual Health," a talk by campus physician Dr. Matt Verona about sexually transmitted diseases. Free T-shirts will be given to the first 10 people in attendance.

Student Government will cap the week Thursday, Oct. 19, with "Willie Wonka's Mix-Off," in Gym 1 of the Falcon Center from 7-8:30 p.m. WVAQ's Lacy Neff will emcee the mix-off and also give away some free T-shirts. Students are invited to come dressed as a character from the movie, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," and the person with the best costume will win an IPOD Shuffle, a smaller version of the IPOD. In addition to free food and free prizes, students will have chances to win cash prizes by entering a banner contest and a contest to mix the best alcohol-free drink.